Austin Restaurant Week returns

Austin Restaurant Weeks are back, and starting Friday, you can snag deals at your favorite restaurants while also donating to a good cause.

Why it matters: It's a chance to find deals at local restaurants — from prix fixe menus to specialty items to drink specials — and a portion of every meal goes to the Central Texas Food Bank through Sept. 15.

• Since its inception in 2018, Austin Restaurant Week has raised enough funds to distribute nearly 2.9 million meals, officials tell Axios.

Between the lines: The Central Texas Food Bank has struggled to keep up with demand since the pandemic as a growing number of adults and children seek assistance.

• More than 1 in 6 Central Texans and more than 1 in 4 Central Texas children are food insecure, meaning they're not certain if they will have enough food at all times, per the food bank .
• Plus, local food banks have struggled in recent years with the increase in grocery prices and supply chain issues .

Zoom in: More than 100 restaurants, breweries and bars are participating in this year's Austin Restaurant Weeks. Here are delicious bargains we're eyeing:

• Bambino has 20% off pizzas from 11am-2pm each day through Sept. 15.
• Lenoir is offering a four-course chef's choice menu for $60.
• The Peached Tortilla brings a three course meal for $40 .
• LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue will have a special Frito pie burger on the menu ($18) with its classic smoked and seared brisket burger patty, topped with red chili, cheddar cheese, jalapenos and Fritos.
• Italian restaurant Intero has a $60 four-course dinner menu , and Japanese restaurant Lucky Robot features a $60 dinner menu that lets you choose between several plates per course, including an eight-piece chef's choice fish sashimi.

The bottom line: You have many more to choose from. Find the full list of participating restaurants on Austin Restaurant Weeks' website .